Crystal Palace Academy wing-back Rio Cardines earned a first-ever senior call-up to the Trinidad and Tobago senior side and managed to make his debut.
Cardines has been at the club since the age of 16, working his way up the age groups from Under-16s through to the Under-21s. He signed his first professional contract in July 2024 ahead of the 2024/25 season.
In the 24/25 campaign, he made 20 appearances for Darren Powell’s U21s, scoring twice and assisting once while predominantly playing as a wing-back on the left or right-hand side.
He had previously played for the Trinidad and Tobago Under-17s side last season in the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship. He played three games and managed to score one goal for Trinidad and Tobago as they made it to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
The 18-year-old also featured for Trinidad and Tobago Under-20s ahead of their 2024 CONCACAF U20 Championship qualifiers. He scored once and registered three assists as the side finished second in their group.
Cardines was named in the Trinidad and Tobago senior squad for the first time as they took part in the 2025 Unity Cup at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium. He made his debut from the start in their first game against Jamaica, striking the crossbar from a free-kick which ultimately saw Trinidad equalise.
He played the full 90 minutes as their right wing-back, but unfortunately the Soca Warriors lost out in stoppage time. He was an unused sub in their second game against Ghana.
His performance saw him named in the 26-man squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as Dwight Yorke’s squad for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Keep up with how Cardines gets on here, and on our Official Academy X Account.
Click HERE to find out more about all of our Academy prospects on international duty this summer!
All times BST.
Tuesday, 27th May: Jamaica 2-3 Trinidad and Tobago (Cardines played the full 90 minutes)
Saturday, 31st May: Trinidad and Tobago 0-4 Ghana (Cardines was an unused substitute)
Saturday, 7th June: Trinidad and Tobago v St. Kitts and Nevis (00:30)
Wednesday, 11th June: Costa Rica v Trinidad and Tobago (02:00)
Sunday, 15th June: USA v Trinidad and Tobago (00:30)
Thursday, 19th June: Trinidad and Tobago v Haiti (23:45)
Monday, 23rd June: Saudi Arabia v Trinidad and Tobago (00:00)
